Bahamas Falcon Crash Mars 2009 Bizjet Safety Record

The NTSB, along with the FAA and Dassault, has joined the investigation into the December 17 crash of a Falcon 20D in the Bahamas–the only fatal business jet accident of 2009. The twinjet, N28RK, operated by FL Aviation Group, was destroyed when it crashed at night on Great Inagua Island while en route from the Dominican Republic to its base at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Executive Airport. According to FlightAware, the aircraft was at FL280 flying at 360 knots when it disappeared from radar. The crew of a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter operating in the vicinity reported seeing a fireball around 7:30 p.m. at the impact site, approximately a dozen miles from Matthew Town in an undeveloped bird and animal sanctuary. The helicopter crew attempted a rescue, but was unable to approach the wreckage due to the intense heat, according to a Bahamian official. Pilot Harold Mangel and copilot Freddy Castro died in the crash. The accident investigation is being conducted by the Bahamian Flight Standards Inspectorate.